Wichita eagle., 1887-01-25
LIFE ON A LIGHTSHIP.
ADRAG WITH NAUGHT SAVE DANGER
TO RELIEVE THE MONOTONY.

Aboard the Scotland, Near the Jersey
Coast-CIean Paint and Bright Grass
work-The Stamp of s.rensth-Equip-
ment-The Crew.
To give an account of the daily routine
work On one Of the ships will tell the story Of
both, and, in fact, all those along the sea-
board 1t is one continual drag with naught
save danger to relieve the monotony. The
hardships and perils which the crew have to
undergo during the winter months are only
equaled by those of the life savers along the
coast. They do not fear the heaviest of gales
if the anchor does not hitch or the cables
snap. But If the latter happened in a strong
northeasterly storm there would be cause for
alarm. The white quicksands Of jersey
would then become a lee shore and the YES
sells might be driven to pieces on the beach
before the extra anchor could be dropped or
the emergency canvas hoisted. At al times
during the day and night there is a great
strain on the cables In winter the tension is
increased 100 per cent, and, rs a necessity,
the chains are exceptionally strong, being
capable of wi.hstanding the most exciting
pitch of the craft as it is cast about by tho
angry elements The tackle which Keeps it
in length. One end of this is cclcd about the
barrel of the great WiHdlasS and lies aft The
other descend5 throgg:I the hawsopipe and
into the sea to bc fastened 10 n monster nush-
room anchor which rests scrcnciy on the bot
tom. This long reach Of chain is in itself Of
sufficient weight to make the ligLtsbip main
tain a fairly steady frame
OK BOARD THE SHIP.
81. Iii, IIa
strangers eye is struck by the remarkable
clearness Of Tie deck paint and the bright
ness of the brass work; II he be any sort Of
an amateur sailor he VIII instantly perceive
there is an absence of The running ana stand
ing rigging, which adds so much to the grace
and beauty OF the ordinary merchant marine
and that there is regularity about the roll
and plunge OF the craft. 1t is an unnatural
roll when that of the siimming sailing ship
or fast steamer IS recalled. There is a
decided Ianguidness about it that is simply
sckenirg There seems 10 lie no ambition ii
the movement, and every time the vessel
falls from the crest OF the sea the visitors
heart tries 10 come ont &C his mouth This is
not caused by fright. buJ is the sole outcome
of the strange hcayin@ OF the ship. The next
thing TO attract the attention of the stranger
is the so!dity OF everything about the deck.
Nothing lacks the stamp Of strength. The
cabin, which is tie sole property Of the cap
tam and mate, is situated away eft, like that
on q vessel Of The merchant marine. 1t is
small apartment and is given ventilation and
light by a skylight alnidshipS and several
headlights in the sides. Directly under the
slylight the dining table is il position, and
this, with TIE few chairs, is as bright as a
new coin. The library and magazine well
for powder and rockets are near by. just
forward Of the cabin and opening into ii by
means of Il little door is the oil room. There
are a number Of tanks in this compartment
and these are filed with hundreds Of gallons
of Oil. Hard by are u dozen or more extra
lamps. with reiicctors chimneys and great
punches of wicks. The brass wor!, Ga the
former is finely polished and bright as nickel.
The forccastlo is situated in the eyes Of the
craft, or as near IS the great chain cable VIII
permit 1t resembles that of a square ri%gel
vessel. only it is below decks and everything
is in good order. There are several hunks in
the apartment lat the men for the most part ,
prefer the luxury OF a hammock.
EQUIPMENT oF TIE VESSEL
The lamps which are used arc fixed within
a band and are hoisted aloft by hand wiGches
to which the lantern halliards are secured
They have circular wicks, are within para
tolc refectors, and are hung on gimbals, 50
that whether the ship rolls stern or Gunwalcs
under. they always maintain a vertical posi-
ton In winter they are lighted at o'clock
p. III. and extinguished at ~. m. IN Summer
they burn from 5 7. IN. TOD a. IN. The bril-
liancy of these lamps are not apparent from
the deck The hull of the ship is alike for
ward and aft. the stern being rs sharp as the
stem. 1t is rs strong rs an ironclad. To give
it additional strength and stauncmesS in
good blow and heavy sea there are false kecls
on each side of the bilse These have several
times saved the craft from serious disaster
The ship is supplied with n rudder, but it is
fastened so that it can move neither way
unless the checks arc withdrawn. Canvas to
the extent of a trysail can be used, and only
that in the event of the cable parting The
vessel is also provided with a whale or yawl
boat, i'll which the captain and a few of the
crew i'll summer make irregular excursions.
The crews mail, TO q great extent. is thrown
on board by passing pilot boats, which bring
it down from this city. In bad weather
weeks olapSc sometimes before those on
the pilot boats get chance to put the letters
and papers on board. The duties of the crew
are onerouS. Two are on watch at all hours.
They look out for crafts which approach in
too close proximity, dischargins rockets and
guns to warn or signal them and in foggv
weather toll the bell for a like purpose The
men are not obliged 70 render assistance to
vessels or seamen in distress, but invariably
they do so-New York Mail and Express